27 Comments:

• Sorry, but not a Harley.

  By  Anonymous, at 9/12/2007 06:03:00 AM  

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• At those prices, these ain't yer daddy's yamaha!! Waaay too much for a bike that will bevalue instantly - unlike a harley which is minimal if any.

  By  Anonymous, at 9/13/2007 03:55:00 PM  

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• I own a Harley, but I like the looks of the Raider. If it rides well, I might buy it just because it ISN'T a Harley.

  By  Anonymous, at 9/14/2007 10:59:00 AM  

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• If it was a harley it would produce half the horsepower and cost twice as much......no thanks to harleys

  By  Anonymous, at 9/14/2007 11:08:00 AM  

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• As a Star rider and reading comments like "not a Harley" and will depreciate. Yes, it will depreciate, but after chroming, I still have money in my pocket vs. buying into H-D marketing. I laugh when my bike gets all the looks parked next to Harleys. I laugh more when people say it's not a Harley and then jump in their Honda and Toyota's.

  By  Anonymous, at 10/01/2007 05:25:00 PM  

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• Got a bunch of buddies with H-D power. None of their bikes can resale for anywhere near what they owe. I say go Yamaha, great price, nice styling, and no doubt the quality and reliability will have high marks.

  By  Anonymous, at 10/12/2007 08:45:00 PM  

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• I think the Raider is a great looking bike! I for one haven't bought into the whole HD thing. I have many friends who have and enjoy them. I am happy for them. I recently purchased an FJR1300 and and I am seriously looking at the new Raider. I can have both bikes for the same price as one Harley. Now I realize that I will stand out in the crowd because I didn't buy the Harley.... but that's ok... never have been a follower... standing out is OK with me.

  By  Anonymous, at 10/21/2007 10:15:00 PM  

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• Got to test ride this sweet muscle cruiser last week with the wife in tow. It handled great, made big torque early in the rpm, had very smooth power, and was much more comfortable than what we thought it would be! At 95 mph, which we hit very quicky, we weren't being beatin' up by the wind. and she was not really as stessed out about the hard hitting acceleration and passenger seating position as I thought she would be {the demo bike had no windscreen nor backrest or after market seat.] I was very pleadsed with the extra wide stock solo seat it came with! Great brakes, ergos, detailing and lines! The big tires are enough to give terrific handling with a masculine look, but the wheel sizes allow for a 230 rear and a 130 front with no problems or changes. I will definitely buy this bike and ride it 3 times further, longer and faster than any of my many HD laden friends do before any kind of repairs or rebiulds are needed. That's because it's a Yamaha. In a 105 years Harley has never been able to make a bike of this quality and never will. I rode only HD's for 22 years, from a 57' pan, a 73' flh and many evos and blockheads. None can compare to the total package of style, power, comfort, reliability, handling and quality as I have seen in the 115,ooo miles that i put on my 800 Drifter and 102'' Warrior. I go too far and too fast to ride a harley. It just would not keep up nor hold up, so why buy one? For resale value? Yes, if you're not a biker, only someone that wants to be seen on a harley once in awhile and then try to turn a possible profit. I ride Yamahas for all the reasons that I want to ride period. To ride ,ride some more and then keep on riding without all the problems, breakdowns and expense that goes with HD's. A close friend of mine has 250,0000+ miles on his Yamaha dresser and it still runs and looks as good or better than any HD coming off the line now. It has the original rings, gaskets, bearings and motor seals that it had in 99' when it was new! I only have 3 Iron butt rides on mine to his dozens but we both know the true and proven performance and quality of Yamaha's big cruisers! With the Raider I would suggest going back to the Yamaha style flip gas cap and redesigning the tank to be a 6 galllon size. This is a bike that I can't wait to get on and ride! The harley's are still over weight, over rated and over priced. I'll proudly stay with Yamaha.

  By  Anonymous, at 10/28/2007 07:38:00 PM  

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• Bought one Sunday, and out the door for less then Manf List, Red non S model. Its a Great bike, good job Star / Yamaha!
  Ray H.

  By  Anonymous, at 11/13/2007 01:02:00 PM  

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• I'm planning to buy one of these come springtime '08. Having owned & ridden everything I can get my hands (and butt) on for nearly 35 years, this bike is impressive. Some will not willingly admit it, but most bikes are a compromise of sorts. My HD Lowrider isn't a "sportbike", but it's fun to push it like it is and drag the pegs. The ST-1300 isn't a cruiser, but it still feels cool to cruise on it. There just isn't a single bike that does it all - otherwise we would have an air/liquid-cooled, shaft/belt drive, 5/6/10/12-speed transmission with a cable/hydraulic clutch, 650cc engine that has the horsepower and torque of a 2000cc v-twin........basically a transformer like the kids toy. Needless to say, it just ain't gonna happen. We should all be thankful that there are as many choices as there are. Personally, I'd like to thank Yamaha/Star for paying attention to what riders are interested in. Now if the other manufactureres would just pay as much attention......
  Let's see what happens after a year of riding.

  By  Anonymous, at 11/29/2007 10:17:00 PM  

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• HD is a Culture Bike, you pay half for the motorcycle and the other half for the Culture. Most Japanese Bikes will eat that Harley alive. I've got my eye on the Raider and am Negotiating a price now with a dealer.

  By  Anonymous, at 12/03/2007 07:51:00 PM  

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• This is the hottest bike on the market today. Harley? been there, done that - time for something new. As far as depreciation? have you tried to sell your harley? dealers have rows of them - gone are the days of selling a used one for even close to what you paid. buy what you like and forget the rest.

  By  Anonymous, at 12/08/2007 07:48:00 AM  

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• The first comment here said a mouthful, "Sorry, but not a Harley". He is right, and man it is a good thing it's not! Yes, the Raider is metric, but so is my Chevy. The technology alone is light years ahead of HD. The Raider makes the Rocker look like a Cushman. As far as resale being so hot for an HD, it was, but not anymore. Just take a look at the used stuff at the dealers and in the ads, it has become a buyers market, too many for sale. The Raider has become a very hot item, try to find one, most dealers are sold out. I would prefer to buy a US made product, but I refuse to pay double the price for an HD when a much better product can be had for half. HD is gambling that the "gotta have a Harley" group will continue to buy them

  By  Anonymous, at 3/01/2008 10:42:00 PM  

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• Just bought my Raider last week. I didn't go with the S model. Although both look great, I actually liked the black offsets better on the non S. I looked at HD's and you just can't beat this bike for the price. I love the HD brand an culture but don't feel like paying 6-8k more to get it. Took the Raider 50 miles the first day. Incredibly cool bike. Great power, great sound, great handling and great price. I picked mine up for under 13k.

  By  Anonymous, at 3/06/2008 08:16:00 AM  

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• had a harley...now I've got a bike I like, faster, better and less money. A friend of my just paid $34,000 for a Harley with extras. He made me laugh when he paid 2,500 for a big bore kit to bring it from 96 cubic inch to 107 and he couldn't believe it when I said my was 113 stock. Now let's see who's going to be better off if we should decide to sell. All bikes lose about the same percentage when they leave the showroom. And if someone ask me if it's a harley I just yeah and they say cool. I just save myself 8,000 dollars.

  By  Anonymous, at 4/01/2008 04:24:00 PM  

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• I just bought the Raider S. What a bike, it runs and handles great. All my Harley, Honda and Suzuki buddies love it. Yamaha as done a great job with this bike. As for as Harley, check all the reviews from the test between the Raider and Rocker. The Raider tore it up. If you get a chance to test ride one, please do. You will be sold. Even you Harley lovers will be impressed.

  By  Anonymous, at 4/02/2008 08:53:00 AM  

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• I own a Raider - S type. I have a buddy that owns a HD. He has to have it repainted every time we ride together. I keep sucking off his paint as I go by.
  
  Besides... I can't own a HD. I don't own a truck to hall it back to the dealership.

  By  Anonymous, at 4/03/2008 10:15:00 AM  

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• Ok, owned a Vespa 125 at 14, suziki 80 at 16, a Yamaha 350 at 18 etc. etc. In 2003 I picked up a Harley Anniversary ultra Glide. I live in Canada, after exchange rate & taxes, $41,000.00 What's it worth now? About $18,000.00
  So i triked it over the winter, nothing lost, maybe the oposite.
  I'm picking up a red Raider S next Thursday. Why? Because even though I have the ultimate "Hog" and a couple of lesser scooters as well, this Raider is one kick ass sled. the engine is gorgeous! The paint is as good as any and the style...
  Let's just say I can't wait.
  I'm 59, been at this a while and I don't believe there's a nicer machine to be had on any showroom floor.

  By  Terry, at 5/03/2008 09:57:00 AM  

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• I bought my Raider S yesterday, red flames. This bike is the total package.

  By  Anonymous, at 5/08/2008 02:04:00 PM  

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• Forget about it. Throw badging and price out the window and evaluate on build quality, handling, power and style. You will buy a Raider. I could buy anything on the market and I cannot say enough about how impressive this machine is. This is a big, bold, beautiful engineering marvel. Solid as a rock and incredibly nimble on a 71" wheelbase. You gotta have HD Rocker or Victory Vegas? Go ahead, you'll have a kiddie toy in comparison. Drive them all and you'll understand.

  By  Anonymous, at 5/16/2008 08:24:00 PM  

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• I still like Warrior

  By  Pictures of Moscow, at 5/20/2008 08:31:00 PM  

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• I'm planning to buy one of these come springtime '08. Having owned & ridden everything I can get my hands (and butt) on for nearly 35 years, this bike is impressive. Some will not willingly admit it, but most bikes are a compromise of sorts. My HD Lowrider isn't a "sportbike", but it's fun to push it like it is and drag the pegs. The ST-1300 isn't a cruiser, but it still feels cool to cruise on it. There just isn't a single bike that does it all - otherwise we would have an air/liquid-cooled, shaft/belt drive, 5/6/10/12-speed transmission with a cable/hydraulic clutch, 650cc engine that has the horsepower and torque of a 2000cc v-twin........basically a transformer like the kids toy. Needless to say, it just ain't gonna happen. We should all be thankful that there are as many choices as there are. Personally, I'd like to thank Yamaha/Star for paying attention to what riders are interested in. Now if the other manufactureres would just pay as much attention......
  Let's see what happens after a year of riding.
  
  That was my post a little while back. I bought a blue s model may 10th and have put on 2000 miles. I could not be more impressed with a bike. It's everything I expected and more.
  PiNkPaNtHeR

  By  Anonymous, at 6/12/2008 11:53:00 PM  

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• I'm looking to buy a Raider and was wondering if anyone out there my size ( 6' 4" & 270 Lbs.) owns one. If so, how is the "fit & feel"? Just talked to a dealer and I could get the non-S version for $11,900.00 out the door!

  By  Anonymous, at 6/24/2008 02:44:00 PM  

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• I'm 6'3" 255 and I love my raider! Fits us big guys well and rides just as well. Had my Raider for about a month and most of my H-D buddies like the looks of it also. (There is always one that say "not a harley" but there has to be ignorant people in the world too!) It kills them that some of their dressed out H-D cost twice as much as mine. Ride what you like, ignore the uninformed that only go by brand and not by what is sitting in front of them. Sounds like a great deal too. I could only get a few hundred off list because the demand by me ment they didn't need too. Enjoy the ride!
  
  Thunder

  By  Anonymous, at 6/25/2008 09:01:00 AM  

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• anyone out there able to give me some pointers on negotating prices on buying the Raider.

  By  Anonymous, at 8/20/2008 07:14:00 PM  

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• I have a black raider and my two cousins have a raider s and harley superglide. everywhere we go someone ask us if ours our custom and cannot stop telling how great they look. Not one mention about the HD. I had one guy in a pickup chase me down and ask me what kind of bike it was.

  By  Anonymous, at 8/21/2008 01:14:00 PM  

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• I have been driving the local Yamaha/suzuki dealer crazy while I keep stopping in to drool over the star raider s. That engine is a work of art, I own a 2007 Honda Shadow VLX Deluxe that I have put over 12,000 miles on since I bought it this may (6 1/2 months)
  and although I love my VLX sportster clone ( liquid cooles though) I would, and am, gonig to trade it in for a new Star. When I sat on it, it is so well balanced that it was EASIER to pull that 700LB bike of the sidestand than my 475LB VLX was!! Now that is great balance, which means great egineering! I plan on taking a month off this summer to tour the USA on a bike rather than see it from the windshield of a Frieghtliner. And I can't think of a better bike than the raider to do it on!

  By  Glenn, at 11/10/2008 06:37:00 PM  

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